Beauty contests these days are no longer about women possessing sensation figures, beautiful faces, and having the ability to quickly communicate their thoughts when asked with questions ranging from politics to environmental concerns, and from social and pressing issues to matters that involve international relations.
Beauty queens now are more equipped not just on the way they present themselves on the catwalk but also on how they brand themselves as ambassadors of beauty and goodwill.
One major component of this branding is the cause that they promote. And this is very crucial. One can’t just join a beauty tilt and then decide that she needs something to beef up her portfolio by randomly selecting a charity to carry just to say she has an advocacy to support her bid for the crown.
Take Gazini Ganados and Patricia “Patch” Magtanong, who won two of the most coveted crowns at the Binibining Pilipinas 2019, for example.
Gazini, who is seeking a back-to-back win for the Philippines by succeeding Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, has an advocacy that is uncommon in pageants. The daughter of an overseas Filipina worker and was raised by her grandparents supports the welfare of the elderly. And given her background, you would know where she’s coming from.
“Being a Miss Universe candidate is already an elevation of my platform. I’m just glad that the government has just passed the law and I’m happy that there are people like Mayor Isko Moreno who is focusing on the plight of the elderly,” Gazini told Manila Standard in an interview.
The 23-year-old beauty wanted to meet Manila’s leader “so we could have a conversation on how we could work together to improvise and innovate the system on elderly care.”
Patch, on the other hand, is out to prove that she is a queen with beauty, brains, and substance. The newly minted lawyer wanted to use her influence to promote her advocacy in helping inmates fight for their rights.
“My interested in this matter started when I was in college. In law school, I was part of an organization where we visited jails and provided help for them,” Patch told Manila Standard in an exclusive interview.
The 25-year-old Patch is also part of an NGO (non-government organization) where the members educate the inmates in different city and municipality jails about their rights.
“We teach them the legal process. The state has the right to punish them but it also has the obligation to rehabilitate them. Competing at Miss International in November is already a way to elevate my advocacy. I would love to know more about Japan’s penal system and how they promote personal reform,” Patch said adding that she’ll be flying to Japan on Oct. 25 to represent the country at Miss International.
On top of their personal advocacies, Gazing and Patch are active in their roles as Binibining Pilipinas winners supporting the well-meaning causes that the pageant promotes. Despite their hectic schedules filled with media interviews, training for their upcoming pageants, and other appearances, Gazini and Patch and other Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Queens still commit themselves to giving back to charitable institutions. That’s why last Aug. 8, the Binibinis spent the afternoon with kids at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in partnership with Dairy Queen.
Dairy Queen Philippines has committed itself to fulfilling its mission of giving joy to everyone through its corporate social responsibility project called “Upside,” which aims to let less fortunate kids experience life’s upsides. Given Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated’s (BPCI) desire for its candidates to go Beyond Beauty, it was a partnership that was only fitting.
Joining Gazini and Patch during the afternoon’s festivities were Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista, and first runner-up Aya Abesamis. Each Queen was more than thrilled to mingle with the kids and their parents who were all invited to participate.
After distributing gift sets to the kids, the Queens spent time with them for afternoon snacks courtesy of not just DQ but Pizza Hut as well. Sitting with the families, the Queens listened to the kids’ stories and posed for pictures with them. The highlight of the afternoon was a magic show for the kids to enjoy. For audience participation, the bubble show was a treat with the magician making giant bubbles around some of the volunteer kids from the audience, as well as some of the Queens.
The kids were all smiles as they participated with the different activities. But even more evident was how joyful the Queens looked during the course of the event. “Earlier, I was hoping to bring smiles to these kids but things went quite differently as it was them who brought us the smiles,” said Gazini noted about her visit to the PCMC.
“To know that you are helping others, especially the kids, is hugely empowering and, in turn, makes us feel happier and more fulfilled,” added Emma.
The Queens now shift their focus back to their preparations for their upcoming pageants. Training will continue as their international competitions draw near, and the BPCI will soon announce dates for its send-off activities for the Binibinis.